The first train in the fleet entered service in July, ten months late, after a series of problems including the driver's windscreen, which had to replaced because it distorted the view of signals at night.

There were also delays to the electrification of the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line.

The setback follows ScotRail admitting that another fleet of trains being drafted in to provide more seats on inter-city routes such as Aberdeen-Edinburgh will be introduced later this month without being refurbished because of problems at refitting firm Wabtec.

"Commuters will be dismayed to see the first trains from the new Hitachi fleet, introduced with great fanfare just weeks ago, taken out of action.

“The trains we have already are over-packed, the long-distance trains promised are running late and are set to come into action without being refurbished first, and now the new trains have been taken off the rails too.

"It’s a bleak outlook.

“Passengers just want trains to be reliable and value for money but they are getting neither.

The transport secretary [Michael Matheson] needs to get to grips with the catalogue of errors that hold up our rail network and get ScotRail back on track.”

Scottish Labour transport spokesman Colin Smyth said: "While it is important these defects were identified and dealt with quickly, this is another blow for passengers under this franchise.

"The SNP promised a world-leading service with ScotRail.

"Instead we have seen the problems pile up with trains withdrawn, new models late, services overcrowded, overpriced and routinely behind schedule."

David Sidebottom passenger director of passenger watchdog Transport Focus said: “Passengers will be disappointed to hear this error occurred and want assurances from ScotRail that there is a clear timescale for these trains to be back in service.

"Only then will people feel confident that they are getting the best value fare and a reliable service."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government's Transport Scotland agency, which controls the ScotRail franchise, said: "ScotRail has made us aware a technical issue was encountered on one of the new class 385s yesterday.

"As is normal in such circumstances, particularly with new trains, Hitachi will test the entire c385 fleet as a precaution to ensure reliable operation.

"It is imperative this testing is completed quickly, but thoroughly, to ensure the c385s can get back into service as soon as possible."

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